Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-08-04

of stirring up the inward organiza-
tion ofthe person taking It, pro-
ducing violent vomiting, and is in
tended as a clcasing power. In
case the medicine does not act sufli
GENTLY, a long feather, usually from
the wing of an eagle, or other
large bird having feathers of prop
er length, is taken and the feather
edge trimmed off except small
bunch of the point. This the per-
son that has not been sufficiently
cleansed, inserts into his mouth
and down into the stomach, Civ
ing it a peculiar tickling twist, and
by repeating this operation, and
laying himself over a log, face
downward, he finally is relieved OF
the contents of the stomach, and
arising he pronounces himself in
ternally cleansed After thor
oughly satisfying themselves that
there is nothing left in them, the
whole number of those who have
taken this cleansing process repair
TO the river where they all stand
in the water, and at n given
signal from the leader, they dive
under four times, and thus
they claim that the out side is
cleansed also.
They then dry themselves in
the sun, and each one securing an
arm load of wood returns to the
dancing ground and rebuilding the
fire with the wood they have
brought, and sweeping the ground
perfectly clean, they renew the
dance until the fourth day when
they break up and return 20 their
homes.
During these festivities the most
perfect order prevails in the camp,
and anything Of n contrary nature
is promptly checked, and the Of.
fender reminded that the ground
whereon they stand is holy ground.
The dance is very peculiar, and
in many respects is less obiectiona-
ble i'm its features than our more
modern dances. Each individual
operates Independent of anyone
else. There is no choosing part
ners and no Irritation between the
sexes, and anything Of that nature
would be considered a gross insult,
and would meet with strong re-
sentiment if not very prompt pun
ishmeut. The costumes OF many,
especially the women, are very
gaudy, and are composed large
ly Of fancy ribbons and feathers.
One was very conspicuous in this
respect, having a beautiful head
dress of ribbons reaching from
head to foot, and representing the
colOrs of the rainbow.
These people are not barbarian,
as might be supposed, but they
wear the civilized dress, aud only
add these fancy ornaments as 9TH
ers ornament themselves.
The Greeks extend a friendly
invitation to the other tribes to
join them in this festival, and
many Of their neighbors avail
themselves Of the hospitality thus
offered.
The Shawnecs li7ipg within
reach always attend, and it is
thought that they excel. in the
matter Of dancing, many of the
women being particularly graceful
in their movements.
Quite a large number OF Chero-
KEGS were present and were noted
for the .vigor of their movements
in the dance as well rs for the
taste displayed in the attire worn
by the men, some of which are
worthy of more than a passing no.
tice Zeke Taylor, Charley Reyn-
olds aud a big tall Cherokee form
erly known rs Bill Halsell, but of
late, better known as "Jack- Rab-
bit Buuch', on account of the
similarity he bears to the worthy
candidate for chief, were very
prominent on the floor and also in
the assembly Of the congregation
outside.
They seemed to be attending on
account of the religious character
Of the festivities, and their conduct
was very becoming as they par
took Of the various exercises.
The costume of Jack Rabbit
Bunch" was very ornamental and
suggestive, as were the other two,
all being dressed alike, or words
of that effect.
He wore q proiusion Of ribbons
Of various colors, consisting of
three bolts of each, with a broad
paper band passing around the
neck, and crossing on the breast,
passing around the body, was pin
ned together about a foot below
the waist from whence it hung in
graceful streamers TO the mother
earth, so as to prevent the suppo-
sition that he was from another
world. This with a badge in the
shape Of a "mashed o" and rib
bon pinned on the stomach, around
the left knee and tied on the inside,
TO indicate the inward work of
grace, and each one leading a
Jack Rabbit by string, made a
picture over which angels might
weep, and the spirits Of the poets
of ages past would do well b arise
and sing.
1t is needless to say that they
were admired by the company and
more especially the ladies who,
though they do not believe in fir
tations on such occasions, were
often heard tp ask, "Who is that
tall Cherokee that pinched me
just now as he passed ?"